Governor signs Moolenaar bill to stop food assistance abuse

By the Midland Daily News

Published
5:30 am EDT, Saturday, April 14, 2012

Sen. John Moolenaar, R-Midland, joins Gov. Rick Snyder for the signing of Senate Bill 711, legislation sponsored by Moolenaar to help prevent large lottery winners from receiving public food assistance.

"Food assistance is intended to help put food on the table for families struggling to make ends meet in tough times," said Moolenaar, R-Midland. "This reform is about ensuring this important aid goes to those who truly need it and not to million-dollar jackpot lottery winners."

SB 711 requires the Michigan Lottery to notify DHS of the name and other information of a winner of a prize of $1,000 or more within seven days. SB 712 and House Bill 5033 would require DHS to apply an asset test when determining eligibility of an individual for food aid. Lottery or other gambling winnings would go toward this asset total.